Rocker arm



E 2-H 7 1V Sept. 22, 1959 R. LATHAM 2,905,161

RQCKER ARM Filed April 14, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 [I INVENTOR. E RAYMOND L. LflTH/IM.

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R. -L. LATHAM ROCKER ARM Sept. 22, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 14, 1958 R INVENTOR. I HYMOND L. L/ITHHM.

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Sept. 22, 1959 R. LJLATHAM ROCKER ARM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 14, 1958 INVENTOR.

RA YM 0N0 L. LATHAM.

United States Patent ROCKER ARM Raymond L. Latham, Detroit, Mich, assignor to Chrysler Corporation, Highland Park, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Application April 14, 1958, erial No. 728,399

14 Claims. (CL 123-90) This invention relates to improvements in a rocker arm especially of the type used to operate the gas inlet and exhaust valves of an internal combustion engine.

Numerous stamped, cast, and forged rocker arms well known to the art have been employed heretofore with varying degrees of success to operate the valves of an internal combustion engine. A particular type of rocker arm construction comprises a stamped or forged body having a central anti-friction bushing adapted to be mounted on a rocker supporting shaft and also having oppositely directed projections, one being engageable with a push rod for operation thereby, and the other being engageable with the stem of a valve to operate the latter. In such constructions the bushing is pressed into an opening within the body and is lubricated by suitable means. Although such rocker arms have performed with reasonable success, the costs of prefabricating the central bushing, of assembling the same into the body of the rocker arm, and of providing suitable lubricating means for the bushing have raised serious objections to the use of such rocker arms.

It is accordingly an important object of the present invention to provide a new and improved simplified unitary sheet metal rocker arm and lubricating means therefor which obviate the necessity of a separate pressed fit bushing and which can be readily fabricated by stamping and punching operations at a fraction of the cost of conventional rocker arm assemblies presently known to the art.

Another object is to provide a rocker arm adapted to be pivotally mounted on a cylindrical rocker supporting shaft, the rocker arm comprising a cylindrical-shaped bottom strap adapted to conform to the contour of the under side of the shaft and to engage the latter closely in bearing relationship, the strap terminating upwardly at opposite ends in generally radial or lateral push rod and valve stem engaging projections having axially spaced vertical sides which are crimped or coined adjacent their junctures with the strap to provide axially spaced upward cylindrical extensions of the strap closely engageable with the shaft in bearing relation and cooperating with said projections to form pockets for receiving lubricating oil adjacent the sides of the shaft.

Another object is to provide such a structure wherein lubricating oil is fed under pressure to the rocker arm strap via a lubricating duct extending axially within the shaft and opening at a lubricating port which extends radially through the shaft to the juxtaposed inner surface of the strap.

Another object is to provide such a structure wherein the lubricating oil flows under pressure circumferentially between the strap and the shaft to the aforesaid pockets and thereafter flows freely axially from the rocker arm between the latter and shaft at locations above said upward extensions of the straps, thereby to assure a continuous supply of fresh lubricating oil at the bearing surfaces and to flush out products of wear and abrasion so as to achieve optimum serviceability with a minimum of structural complexity and expense.

Other objects are to provide a rocker arm structure of the foregoing character wherein the aforesaid push rod engaging projection of the rocker arm inclines upwardly from the shaft. The adjacent axially spaced upward extensions of the strap cooperate with the latter projection to provide an oil-receiving pocket of appreciable size. The latter projection is provided with a dimple or socket formed in its under side to receive the rounded upper end of a cam actuated push rod. An oil passage port extends from the latter pocket to the under side of said push rod engaging projection at said socket, whereby lubricating oil is supplied to the latter by the combined actions of gravity flow, capillary action, and mechanical agitation resulting from rapid oscillation of the rocker arm during operation.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view through the engine cylinder of an internal combustion engine, showing a rocker arm embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to Figure 1, with portions of the rocker arm broken away to show details of construction. 7

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the rocker arm removed from the engine.

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the rocker arm of Figure 3, looking into the open upper end thereof.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 55 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows substantially along the line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 7-7 of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the rocker arm as seen from above and one side.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying draw ings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of descrip-. tion and not of limitation.

Referring to Figure 1, an internal combustion engine is shown comprising an engine block 10 having a number of cylinders, such as cylinder 11, enclosed by a cylinder head 12 secured to the block it) by bolts 13. The head 12 is provided with suitable gas inlet and exhaust ports for each cylinder, which ports are closed by stem valves, such as valve 14. Suitably mounted on the head 12 is an oil splash pan 15 containing a hollow rocker supporting shaft 16 extending longitudinally of the head 12 and mounted thereon. In accordance with cus: tomary practice, a number of cylinders 11 may be ar ranged in a row, each being associated with an inlet valve and an exhaust valve, which valves are also arranged in a row or bank for operation by a corresponding plurality of rocker arms 17 pivotally mounted on shaft 16.

The several rocker arms 17 are substantially identical, each having oppositely directed valve engaging and push rod engaging projections 18 and 19 extending gen erally radially or laterally from shaft 16, Figure 2. The under side of extension 18 is rounded adjacent its extremity and overlies the end of the stem of valve 14 to operate the latter. The under side of projection 20 is formed with an upwardly domed socket or dimple 20 adaped to receive the correspondingly rounded upper end of a cam-actuated push rod 21, whereby valve 14 is opened and closed in synchronism with operation of the engine.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the dimple or socket 20 is offset toward one axial side of the transverse mid plane of'the rocker arm, whereas the extension 18 is biased slightly to the opposite side of said mid plane. Thusthe rocker arm illustrated comprises one of a pair associated with the engine inlet and exhaust valves respectively. The other rocker arm of the pair may be formed substantially asshown except that the socket 20 and projection 18 will be offset oppositely from the socket and projection shown. Such a construction renders feasible the use of paired rocker arms of broader axial width, and accordingly of broader bearing surface as described below, without altering the customary axial spacing between the exhaust and inlet valves associated with each cylinder.

Each valve 14 is maintained in its upward or port closing position by means of coil spring 22 arranged coaxially around the stem of the valve under compression between an annular seat 23 of the head 12 and an annular upper spring retainer 24. The latter is secured to the upper end of the stem of valve 14 by means of a number of annular grooves 25 formed therein into which fit the mating projections 26 of two semi-annular dogs 27. The outer surfaces of the dogs 27 are conically shaped and enlarge upwardly to mate with the upwardly enlarging conical inner surface of annular retainer 24. By virtue of the foregoing structure, the spring retainer 24 is readily assembled over the upper end of spring 22 and then forced downwardly below the grooves 25. Thereafter the dogs 27 are assembled in position and the retainer 24 is released to return to the position shown in Figure 2 by the action of spring 22, thereby to hold the dogs 27 positively in position. The structure is readily disassembled to enable valve repair or replacement. Referring in more particularity to Figures 2-8, details of the rocker arm 17 are illustrated. Preferably the arm 17 comprises a unitary dished sheet metal body susceptible of economical fabrication by stamping and punching operations. The body is provided with a bottom strap 28 of cylindrical contour coaxial with shaft 16 and adapted to serve as the bearing surface for the rocker arm at the under side of the shaft 16. The opposite upper ends of the strap 28 merge laterally into the bottom portions of the declining projection 18 and the inclining projection 19 respectively. Thus as illustrated in Figure 2, approximately only the lower third of the shaft 16 engages the main portion of the strap 28 in bearing relation.

Extending upwardly from the sides of the projections 18 and 19 are side walls 29 which bridge the space above the strap 28 at the central broadest portion of the body of the rocker arm 17. From the central portion of the rocker arm 17, the sides 29 converge toward opposite ends of the projections 18 and 19 and are joined by end walls 30 and 31 respectively.

In order to provide for axial passage of the shaft 16, generally coaxial openings 29:; are formed in opposite side walls 29, preferably by lancing operations performed through the open top of the dished rocker arm 17. The openings 29a are somewhat oval in shape and provide a clearance 291) between the upper regions of the shaft 16 and juxtaposed portions of the side walls 29. The lower outer edges of the openings 29a are chamfered at 29c, whereas the upper inner edges of the openings 29a are chamfered at 29d.

A significant structure of the present invention illustrated in Figures 36 and 8 comprises the portions of the sides 29 adjacent their junctures with the strap 28 which are coined or creased inwardly at 32 and 33 to provide axially spaced upward extensions 34 and 35 of the cylindrical strap 28 at opposite sides of the shaft 16. As illustrated in Figure 6, the cylindrical bearing surface of strap 28 which engages shaft 16 is formed to extend upwardly around the left end of shaft 16 as viewed in Figure 3, substantially to the shading line 36, and thereafter merges with the push rod engaging projection 19. Shading line 36 extends substantially horizontally and axially at its mid region, then curves upwardly at its axial opposite ends to form extensions 35.

Similarly, but less pronounced, as illustrated in Figure 5, the cylindrical bearing surface of strap 28 which engages shaft 16 is formed to extend around the right end of shaft 16 as viewed in Figure 3, substantially to the shading line 37 and merges with the valve engaging projection 18. Shading line 37 extends substantially horizontally and axially at its mid region, then curves upwardly at its axially opposite ends to form the extensions 34. By the foregoing structure, the bearing surface for shaft 16 is increased and in cooperation with the juxtaposed projections 18 and 19, oil retaining pockets are formed adjacent the shaft 16.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the coined portions 33 at the axial edges of the cylindrical strap 28 extend upward concentrically with the shaft 16 to the level of a radial line 42a located appreciably above the central portion of the bottom strap 28 which merges leftward with the push rod engaging projection 19. In consequence, an oil retaining pocket 38 is formed in the region below line 42a between shaft 16, the sides and bottom of projection 19, and the coined projections 33.

Lubricating oil is pumped under pressure into hollow shaft 16 and is discharged via a radial port 39 to the inner bearing surface of strap 28 and thence to pocket 38 by means of an oil groove 40 formed in the central portion of strap 28. Above the extensions 35 of the cylindrical bearing surface of strap 28, excess oil will readily flow axially outwardly from the dished rocker arm 17 through clearance 29b, thereby to assure that a continuous flow of fresh cooling lubricant will properly oil the bearing surfaces between the shaft 16 and strap 28 and will flush particles of wear therefrom to be trapped by a suitable filter system. Extending from the region of pocket 38 through the bottom of projection 19 is a lubricating port 41 which supplies oil by leakage to the under side of dimple or socket 20, thence by capillary action to the upper rounded end of push rod 21.

A pocket structure similar to the pocket 38 at the left of shaft 16 is illustrated in Figures 2 and 5 at the right of shaft 16. In this instance, the coined portions 32 at the axial edges of the cylindrical strap 28 extend upward concentrically with shaft 16 to the level of radial line 42 located slightly above the central portion of the strap 28 which merges to the right with the valve engaging projection 18. In consequence, a pocket 43 is formed below the line 42 between the shaft 16, sides and bottom of projection 18, and the coined portions 32. It is apparent that the pockets 38 and 43 maintain the level of lubricating oil above the upper surfaces of the cylindrical strap 28 engaged with shaft 16. Pocket 43 is provided in part to enable a rounded merger of optimum radius of curvature between the right end of the central portion of strap 28 and projection 18, thereby to insure increased structural rigidity for the rocker arm body while at the same time to prevent axial endwise loss of lubricating fluid at regions substantially below the projection 18. In regard to both extensions 34 and 35, it is to be noted that the crescent clearance 2912 has its smallest dimension adjacent the upper ends of these extensions. Accordingly substantial axial flow of lubricating fluid from the rocker arm 17 does not take place except at locations somewhat above the lines 42 and 42a. In consequence, the level of the lubricating fluid readily builds up over the crest of the base of the declined projection 18 and end wall 30.

In accordance with the foregoing, a bearing surface of comparatively broad axial width is achieved with a minimum of circumferential extension. The portions of the side walls 29 bridging the openings 29a, in cooperation with the end walls 30 and 31, achieve a particularly rigid rocker arm with a minimum of material and weight. The axially spaced coined portions 32 and 33 at opposite sides of the shaft 16 and closely conforming to the latter, serve both as additional bearing surfaces and as means to block axial oil flow from the rocker arm 17 until a predetermined desired oil level is obtained.

Summarizing the operation of the structure described, oil is pumped under pressure through hollow shaft 16 and thence via port 39 to the bearing surface of strap 28. Circumferentially extending oil passage or oil groove 40 carries oil to the pockets 38 and 43. From pocket 38, the oil flows via port 41 to the under side of socket 20 to lubricate the connection with push rod 21. From pocket 43, aided by the declination of projection 18 and the mechanical agitation of the rapidly oscillating rocker arm 17 during operation, oil flows over the comparatively shallow end wall 30 and around the under side of projection 18 to lubricate the latters region of engagement with the stem of valve 14.

I claim:

1. A rocker arm adapted to be pivotally mounted on a cylindrical supporting shaft, said rocker arm having a cylindrically shaped bottom strap adapted to conform to the lower portion of the cylindrical contour of said shaft and to engage the same in bearing relation, said strap terminating upwardly at opposite ends in lateral valve stem engaging and push rod engaging projections respectively, each projection having axially spaced sides extending upwardly and joining to bridge the space above said shaft at opposite sides of said strap, said strap at its axially opposite sides adjacent its juncture with said push rod engaging projection having upward extensions conforming closely to the contour of said shaft to restrict the flow of lubricating fluid axially therealong at the regions of said extensions, the latter merging with the axially spaced sides respectively of said push rod engaging projection and cooperating therewith to provide a pocket for said fluid.

2. A rocker arm adapted to be pivotally mounted on a cylindrical supporting shaft, said rocker arm having a cylindrically shaped bottom strap adapted to conform to the lower portion of the cylindrical contour of said shaft and to engage the same in bearing relation, said strap terminating upwardly at opposite ends in lateral rod engaging projections, each projection having axially spaced sides extending upwardly and joining to bridge the space above said shaft at opposite sides of said strap, said strap at its axially opposite sides adjacent its juncture with one of said projections having upward extensions conforming closely to the contour of said shaft to restrict the flow of lubricating fluid axially therealong at the regions of said extensions, the latter merging with the axially spaced sides respectively of said one projection and cooperating therewith to provide a pocket for said fluid, said one projection being engageable at its under side with rod and having an orifice extending therethrough from the region of said pocket to said under side for passage of said fluid.

3. A rocker armadapted to be pivotally mounted on a cylindrical supporting shaft, said rocker arm having a cylindrically shaped bottom strap adapted to conform to the lower portion of the cylindrical contour of said shaft and to engage the same in bearing relation, said strap terminating upwardly at opposite ends in lateral valve stem engaging and. push rod engaging projections respectively, each projection. having axially spaced sides extending upwardly and joining to bridge the space above said shaft at. opposite. sides of said strap, said strap at, its axially opposite sidesv adjacent its juncture with said push rod engaging projection having upward extensions conforming closely to the contour of said shaft to restrict the flow of lubricating fluid axially therealong at the regions of said extensions, the latter merging with the axially spaced sides respectively of said push rod engaging projection and cooperating therewith to provide a pocket for said fluid, said push rod engaging projection having a dimple in its under side adapted to receive an end of a push rod and also having an orifice extending therethrough from the region of said pocket to said under side at said dimple for passage of said fluid.

4. A rocker arm adapted to be pivotally mounted on a cylindrical supporting shaft, said rocker arm having a cylindrically shaped bottom strap adapted to conform to the lower portion of the cylindrical contour of said shaft and to engage the same in bearing relation, said strap terminating upwardly at opposite ends in lateral valve stem engaging and push rod engaging projections respectively, each projection having axially spaced sides extending upwardly and joining to bridge the space above said shaft at opposite sides of said strap, and an oil passage groove extending circumferentially within the cylindrical surface of said strap to confront said shaft and receive lubricating fluid therefrom.

5. A rocker arm adapted to be pivotally mounted on a cylindrical supporting shaft, said rocker arm having a cylindrically shaped bottom strap adapted to conform to the lower portion of the cylindrical contour of said shaft and to engage the same in bearing relation, said strap terminating upwardly at opposite ends in lateral valve stem engaging and push rod engaging projections respectively, each projection having axially spaced sides extending upwardly and joining to bridge the space above said shaft at opposite sides of said shaft, the region of said rocker arm at the juncture of said strap with at least one of said projections at axially opposite sides of the strap conforming closely to the cylindrical contour of said shaft to comprise upward extensions of said strap, said upward extensions restricting the flow of lubricating fluid axially from said rocker arm between the latter and shaft at regions below said upward extensions, and an oil passage groove extending circumferentially within the cylindrical surface of said strap to confront said shaft and receive lubricating fluid therefrom.

6. A rocker arm adapted to be pivotally mounted on a cylindrical supporting shaft, said rocker arm having a cylindrically shaped bottom strap adapted to conform to the lower portion of the cylindrical contour of said shaft and to engage the same in bearing relation, said strap terminating upwardly at opposite ends in lateral valve stem engaging and push rod engaging projections respectively, each projection having axially spaced sides extending upwardly and joining to bridge the space above said shaft at opposite sides of said shaft, said strap at its axially opposite sides adjacent its junction with said push rod engaging projection having upward extensions conforming closely to the contour of said shaft to restrict the flow of lubricating fluid axially therealong at the regions of said extensions, the latter merging with the axially spaced sides respectively of said push rod engaging projection and cooperating therewith to provide a pocket for said fluid, said push rod engaging projection having a dimple in its under side adapted to receive an end of a push rod and also having an orifice extending therethrough from the region of said pocket to said under side at said dimple for passage of said fluid, and an oil passage groove extending circumferentially within the cylindrical surface of said strap to confront said shaft and receive lubricating fluid therefrom.

7. A rocker arm adapted to be pivotally mounted on a cylindrical supporting shaft, said rocker arm having a cylindrically shaped bottom strap adapted to conform to the lower portion of the cylindrical contour of said shaft and to engage the same in bearin relation, said strap terminating upwardly at opposite ends in lateral valve stem engaging and push rod engaging projections respectively, each projectionh'aving axially spaced sides extending upwardly and joining to bridge the space above said shaft at opposite sides of-said shaft, said push rod engaging projection inclining from said'strap, said valve engaging projection declining. from said strap, and the axial spacing between the sides-ofat least-one of said projections adjacent the latters juncture with said strap being restricted to provide upwardly extensions of said strap conforming closely to the cylindrical contour of said shaft and restricting the flow of lubricating fluid axially from said rocker arm between the latter and shaft.

8. A rocker arm adapted to be pivotally mounted on a cylindrical supporting shaft, said rocker arm havinga cylindrically shaped bottom strap adapted to conformto the lower portion of the cylindrical contour of saidshaft and to engage the same in bearing relation, said strap terminatin upwardly at opposite ends in lateral valve stem engaging and push rod engaging projections respectively, each projection having upwardly extending end walls and side walls, said side walls merging at opposite sides of said strap and bridging the space above said shaft at said opposite sides, said push rod engaging projection inclining from said strap, said valve engaging projection declining from said strap, and the axial spacing between the sides of at least one of said projections adjacent the latters juncture with said strap being restricted to provide upward extensions of said strap conforming closely to the cylindrical contour ofsaid shaft and restricting the flow of lubricatin fluid axially from said rocker arm between the latter and shaft.

9. A rocker arm adapted to be pivotally mounted 'on a'cylindrical supporting shaft, said rocker arm having a cylindrically shaped bottom strap adapted to conform to the lower portion of the cylindrical contour of said shaft and to engage the same in bearing relation, said strap terminating upwardly at opposite ends in lateral valve stem engaging and push rod engaging projections respectively, each projection having upwardly extending end walls and side walls, said side walls merging at opposide sides of said strap and bridging the space above said shaft at said opposite sides, one of said projections inclining from said strap and the other projection declining from said strap, the axial spacing between the sides of said one projection adjacent the latters juncture with said strap being restricted to provide upward extensions of said strap conforming closely to the cylindrical contour of said shaft and restricting the fiow of lubricating fluid axially from said rocker arm between the latter and shaft and thereby cooperating with said one projection to provide a pocket adjacent said shaft for said fluid, said one projection having a dimple in its underside adapted to receive the end of a shaft and also having an orifice extending therethrough from the region of said pocket to said under side at said dimple for passage of said fluid.

10. A rocker arm adapted to be pivotally mounted on a cylindrical supporting shaft, said rocker arm having a cylindrically shaped bottom strap adapted to conform to the lower portion of the cylindrical contour of said shaft and to engage the same in bearing relation, said strap terminating upwardly at opposite ends in lateral valve stem engaging and push rod engaging projections respectively, each projection having upwardly extending end walls and side walls, said side walls merging at opposite sides of said strap and bridging thespace above said shaft at said opposite sides, one of said projections inclining from said strap and the other projection declining from said strap, the axial spacing between the sides of said one projection adjacent the latters juncture with said strap being restricted to provide upward extensions of said strap conforming closely to the cylindrical contour of said shaft and restricting the flow of lubricating'fluid axially from said rocker arm between the latter and shaft'and thereby cooperating with said one projection'to provide a pocket adjacent said shaft for said fluid, said one projection having a dimple in itsunder side adapted to receive the end of ashaft and also having an orifice extending therethrough from the region of said pocket to said under side at said dimple for passage of said fluid, and an oil passage groove extending circumferentially within the cylindrical surface of said strap to confront said shaft and receive lubricating fluid therefrom.

11. A rocker arm adapted to be pivotally mounted on a cylindrical supporting shaft, said rocker arm having a cylindrically shaped bottom strap adapted to conform to the lower portion of the cylindrical contour of said shaft and to engage the same in bearing relation, said strap terminating upwardly at opposite ends in lateral valve stem engaging and pushrod engaging projections respectively, each projectionhavin upwardly extending end walls and side walls, said side walls merging at opposite sides of said strap and bridging the space above said shaft at saidopposite sides, one of said projections inclining from said strap, the axial spacing between the sides of said one projection adjacent the latters juncture with said strap being restricted to provide upward extensions of said strap conforming closely to the cylindrical contour of said shaft and restricting the flow of lubricating fluid axially from said rocker arm between the latter and shaft and thereby cooperating with said one projection to provide a pocket adjacent said shaft for said fluid, said one projection having a dimple in its under side adapted to receive the end of a shaft and also having an orifice extendin therethrough from the region of said pocket to said under side at saiddimple for passage of said fluid.

12. A rocker arm adaped tobe pivotally mounted on a cylindrical supportingshaft, saidrocker arm having a cylindrically shaped bottom strap adapted to conform to the lower-portion of the cylindrical contour of said shaft and to engage the same in bearing relation, saidstrap having an upper end terminating in a lateral rod engaging projection having axially spaced sides extending upwardly, said strap at its axially opposite sides adjacent its juncture with said. rod engaging projection having upward extensions conforming closely to the contour of said'shaft to restrict the flow of lubricating fluid axially therealong at the regions of said extensions, the latter merging with the axially spaced sides 2 respectively of said rod engaging projection and cooperating therewith to provide a pocket for said fluid.

13. A rocker arm adapted to be pivotally'mounted on a cylindrical supporting shaft, said rocker arm having a cylindrically shaped bottom strap adapted to conform to the lower portion of the cylindrical contour of said shaft and to engage the same in bearing relation, said strap terminating upwardly at opposite ends in lateral projections, each projection having upwardly extending side walls merging at opposite'sides of said strap and bridging the space above said shaft at said opposite sides, said strap at its axially opposite sides adjacent its juncture with said projections havingupward'extension conforming closely to the contourof said shaft to restrict the flow of lubricating, fluid axially therealong at the regions of said extensions, the latter merging with the axially spaced sides respectievly of said projections and cooperating therewith to provide a pocket for said fluid.

14. A rocker arm adapted tobe'pivotally mounted on a cylindrical supporting shaft, said rocker arm having a cylindrically shaped bottom strap adapted to conform to the lower portion of the-cylindrical contour of said shaft and to engage the same in bearing relation, said strap having an upper end terminating in a lateral rod engaging projection having axially spaced sides extending upwardly and bridging the space above'said shaft at the opposite sides of said strap and merging at said opposite sides with the otherupper end of said strap, said strap at its axially opposite sidesadjacent its-juncture with said rod engaging projection having upward extensions conforming closely to the contour of said shaft to restrict the flow of lubricating fluid axially therealong at the regions of said extensions, the latter merging with the axially spaced sides respectively of said rod engaging projection and cooperating therewith to provide a pocket for said fluid.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,338,726 Leake Jan. 11, 1944 2,572,968 Bachle Oct. 30, 1951 2,824,553. Celli Feb. 25, 1958 2,824,555 Sampietro Feb. 25, 1958 

